It is difficult to understand how the traders make a living here. They have opened several shops and raised the prices tremendously. They intrigue against each other and complain to the admiral. The _Esperanza_ bought up all the provisions at Mojanga, and has now gone for materials. What a quantity of money the ships have spent here! Truly Russia has enriched Nosi Be, Mojanga, and Diego Suarez. They have even ordered goods from France. _January 30th._--It is very hot to-day. It is long since there were heavy rains. Light rain does not cool the sides of the ship, which remain hot the whole twenty-four hours. Lunch to-day was interrupted by the funeral of a sailor of the _Borodino_. The torpedo-boat passed the _Suvaroff_ with his body. The man died in a very strange way. He was in the hospital-ship _Orel_. He was discharged from the sick-list, and was sitting waiting for the boat to take him back to the _Borodino_ when he fell down dead. Behind the torpedo-boat came a steamboat with the captain. He was accompanying his sailor to burial. The majority of officers have leave to go ashore to-day until 6 p.m. The watches of a good number are damaged, broken, or choked with dust. They have bought up all the watches in the place, and many of these are broken and cannot be mended. They have cleared everything out of Mojanga. At the bank they cannot even change a credit note for a few thousand francs. A good many people earn a living as money-changers. For a pound they sometimes give 24 francs 50 centimes, and sometimes 25 francs 40 centimes. Thus on a pound, which is less than ten roubles, you lose about 34 copecks (8_d._). The fleet is paid in pounds, and loses considerably. A German company here buys up all the pounds and gains large profits. The officers want to ask them to change the credit notes. This is how the Germans do business. They buy land and let it to ruined Frenchmen, compelling them to sell vanilla at a low price. They buy up leather, cocoa-nut oil, coffee, etc., and send it green to Europe, where it is sold at immense profit. They say that when the band played on shore to-day the local queen was present. She is of no importance, and has been left alone by the French, who are the real owners of the country. This queen behaves with dignity, and does not ask for money. A sailor in the _Oslyabya_ stole a box of church offerings. He was found out and arrested, and will probably be tried by special court.